Ray Parker / The Arizona Republic - 4/11/2008

The Chandler Unified School District plans to test a new security check-in system that requires school visitors to present driver's licenses at a school's front office, then screens the information to find potential sex offenders.

The Web-based computer software, called V-soft, scans the license then cross-checks the information against several databases and can notify officials within 30 seconds if there's a match. It also prints out visitor badges.

"It scans all the major sex offender national databases," said Regina Wainwright, who helps run the district's student-safety programs.

The security program, from Houston-based Raptor Technologies, will be installed in the next few weeks at two test schools: Hancock Elementary and Willis Junior High.

Officials are still working out questions of when it would begin, how they will use the program and who will be subject to having their ID scanned. The program is being paid for in the test phase through a $1,200 grant.

Hancock and Willis parents will soon receive district letters with details.

After the trial period, the district will study the system's effectiveness and consider whether to expand it to other CUSD schools.

Wainwright said the security system is being considered because of the district's ongoing review of its safety plans. She added officials want to make sure visitors continue to feel welcome at schools and that the new system does not hinder volunteers.

Raptor Technologies was founded in November 2002 and installed its first school screening product in 2003. The company now monitors nearly 4,000 installations in 530 school districts across the country.